MICROWAVE

RADIATION HAZARDS

It has been reported for that 50 kW of UHF power radiating from the open end of a 6- by 15-in. waveguide will cause:-

ordinary light bulbs to explode fluorescent lamps many feet away to light up and piece of steel wool to explode into arcs
Microwave energy, if of sufficient intensity, is a health hazard and can produce biological damage

in humans.

APPLICATIONS OF MICROWAVE RADIATION

Heating is the chief effect of microwave radiation

on living tissue. In controlled dosages, radiation heating is beneficial and forms the basis of diathermy, a therapeutic heating of the tissue beneath the skin.
also been applied commercially in the form of microwave ovens, used for cooking food rapidly.

The heating effects of microwave radiation have

SUSCEPTIBLE ORGANS
The
danger of localized heating depends upon whether compensating cooling mechanisms exist to dissipate the heat generated at the radiated part of the body. For example, localized heating is least serious in muscle tissue which is well equipped with blood vessels capable of dissipating heat
viscera, and the eyes, where there is little opportunity for the exchange of heat with the surrounding tissue.

Heating is more dangerous in the brain, the hollow

HARMFUL EFFECTS ON EYES

Many

The viscous material of the eyeball is affected by It

instances have been reported where cataracts have been deliberately formed in the eyes of animals by exposure to microwave radiation. heat in much the same manner as the white of an egg. is transparent at room temperature but becomes opaque if its temperature is raised excessively. The process is an irreversible one.

SAFETY LIMIT
As
radar powers increase, the likelihood of biological damage becomes greater, and if serious harm is to be avoided, proper safety precautions must be observed. The United States armed services have established the maximum safe continuous exposure level to be an average power density of 10 mW/cm2. The criterion of 10 mW/cm2 is based on the experimental observation that thermal effects are dominant. However, there is evidence indicating that non thermal biological effects also occur from exposure to microwave radiation

Source Video Display Terminal (VDT) Dielectric Heater Diathermy Applicator Communications Transmitters: AM Radio Communications Transmitters: FM Radio Communications Transmitters: VHF TV Communications Transmitters: UHF Radio Communications Transmitters: Dish Antenna CB Radio Cordless Telephone Cellular Telephone Traffic Radar Microwave Oven

Frequency (MHz) 0.015 - 0.3 1 - 100 (typically 27.12) 13.56, 27.12, 915, 2,450 0.535 - 1.605 88 - 108 54 - 72, 76 - 88, 174 - 216 470 - 890 800 - 15,000 27.12 46 - 5,800 824 - 850, 900, 1,800, 1,900 10,500 and 24,000 915 and 2,450

Potential for Over-exposure? No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No*

*Federal legislation requires that microwave ovens be constructed to meet stringent microwave leakage limits and to have safety interlocks. When these interlocks are defeated, for example, during repair work, there is a risk of overexposure to microwave radiation.

SAFETY MEASURES
As a safety precaution, areas of high power density
should be fenced off, locked, or otherwise made inaccessible when transmitting.

Personnel should never look into an open

waveguide or antenna feed horn connected to energized transmitters.

When personnel must work in areas where the

power density is at a dangerous level, they should be protected with screened enclosures or with protective apparel made from reflective material.

 Another potential safety hazard in working with

high power is the generation of X rays.

When high voltages are used to operate RF

power tubes. Tubes must be properly shielded with lead, and X-ray safety badges worn by operating personnel to warn of excessive dosage.